Nearby Words
noun
1.
a person who offers views or theories on profound questions in ethics, metaphysics, logic, and other related fields.
2.
a person who is deeply versed in philosophy.
3.
a person who establishes the central ideas of some movement, cult, etc.
4.
a person who regulates his or her life, actions, judgments, utterances, etc., by the light of philosophy or reason.
5.
EXPANDa person who is rationally or sensibly calm, especially under trying circumstances.
6.
COLLAPSEObsolete. an alchemist or occult scientist.
Origin:
before 900; Middle English, variant of philosophre < Anglo-French (Middle French philosophe < Latin philosophus); replacing Old English philosoph < Latin philosophus < Greek philósophos philosopher, equivalent to philo- philo- + soph(ía) wisdom (see -sophy) + -os noun suffix
before 900; Middle English, variant of philosophre < Anglo-French (Middle French philosophe < Latin philosophus); replacing Old English philosoph < Latin philosophus < Greek philósophos philosopher, equivalent to philo- philo- + soph(ía) wisdom (see -sophy) + -os noun suffix
Related forms
phi·los·o·pher·ship, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Philosopher
is always a great word to know.
So is ninnyhammer. Does it mean:
| a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes. |
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
Example Sentences
- This philosopher is a politician, too.
- In hard times, few local figures are as vital as the bartender-philosopher.
- Plato was the first philosopher, whose works we posses, to build a philosophy around mathematics.
Collins
World English Dictionary
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
philosopher
O.E. philosophe, from L. philosophus, from Gk. philosophos "philosopher," lit. "lover of wisdom," from philos "loving" + sophos "wise, a sage."
EXPAND"Pythagoras was the first who called himself philosophos, instead of sophos, 'wise man,' since this latter term was suggestive of immodesty." [Klein]Modern form with -r appears early 14c., from an Anglo-Fr. or O.Fr. variant of philosophe, with an agent-noun ending. Philosophy also was used of alchemy in Middle Ages, hence Philosophers' stone (late 14c., translating M.L. lapis philosophorum, c.1130), a reputed solid substance supposed by alchemists to change baser metals into gold or silver; also identified with the elixir and thus given the attribute of prolonging life indefinitely and curing wounds and disease. (Fr. pierre philosophale, Ger. der Stein der Weisen).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Cultural Dictionary
philosopher definition
Someone who engages in philosophy. Some examples of philosophers are Aristotle, Immanuel Kant, and Plato.
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
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